Forest Hills Mennonite Church Work Groups
While I was one of the original four from Pennsylvania who went to look at the property prior to the purchase of Camp Deerpark in 1968, and continued to support it financially over the years, it wasn’t until around 2000 that I became aware of how much repair work was needed on the buildings.
I think it was 2000 when I was able to get a group of workers from my church—Forest Hills Mennonite Church—to spend a few days at camp doing some repairs. This group became very interested in camp after that first visit, and from that time on until 2012, we had a group of 11–18 people go to work at camp as an annual event. Lee Charles took over leadership of the volunteer work around 2012, and though fewer men went along, they were often more qualified for new construction.
In 2015 a new cabin in Promise Woods was completed that had been financed by Forest Hills. One church member donated funds for a second cabin, but wished to remain anonymous. Several people from Forest Hills spent time helping to construct the two cabins. I gave the following message at the dedication ceremony at camp:
Today we celebrate a milestone in the life of Deerpark. We have all been dreaming for a long time about building new cabins and especially replacing the “chicken house.” The question was often asked, “How did Forest Hills become involved with so many projects at Camp Deerpark?” I can’t really tell you except to say our boys’ club—or “vacation with a purpose”—played a big part in seeing the need for maintenance to the old buildings. I described it many times as a smorgasbord of needed repairs.
I really believe it was God leading Forest Hills to partner in the mission work in New York. He moved in many individuals to give of their time, money and talents here at Deerpark, and I believe God is still prodding individuals at Forest Hills to be a partner in the life of Deerpark and the mission of the New York churches.
I believe it was the teamwork between the churches of New York and we at Forest Hills and others that has made Camp Deerpark such a successful program. All our buildings and repairing would have been in vain if you would not have found and sent the kids to camp.
And so now we would like to dedicate these cabins to you and give you the keys to them, so that you might be challenged to continue to find kids that will discover “God’s Country” and find Christ here. May God bless each of you as you continue to work among the kids in the big cities and may God be honored in all that is done here at camp.
Sadly, as many of us have aged or moved away, people from our church are not as involved in volunteering at camp as we once were. But as I said at the dedication of the cabin, I believe God is still prodding individuals at Forest Hills to be a partner in the life of Deerpark and the mission of the New York churches.
—Written by Donna Stoltzfus, former camper and staff.
Dan Glick, supporter of camp since 1968.
Excerpt from “Miracles Performed at Deerpark”
From the Newsletter of Forest Hills Mennonite Church
April 28, 2002
By Toby Leaman
5:30 a.m. seemed like an awful early time to go to work, but 11 Forest Hillers did just that on Wednesday, April 3, as we gathered at the church to load up two pick-up trucks and a van to leave for Camp Deerpark in New York. Dale Hertzler and I traveled in one truck carrying many tools, suitcases, plumbing and wiring supplies, and three rolls of carpet that hung out past the tail-gate. Dan Stoltzfus drove his van with more suitcases, along with our fearless leader Dan Glick, and Marty Peifer, Jessie High, Gary Loug and Doris Groff.
We arrived at Camp Deerpark shortly after 10:00 a.m. Eddie, the maintenance supervisor, greeted us. He showed us what was to be done at motel #8, and electricians Gary and the two Dans, and plumbers Marv and Jessie tore into their work with great vigor. The front porch floor had been completely torn off and needed to be replaced, and the existing roof needed to be beefed up and straightened to the best of our ability. Before many questions could be asked as to how we were to do that, Eddie said, “Now, I expect a miracle!” Then he left. There was much debate as to how this was going to happen. By day’s end the roof supports were in place and the framework was ready for the flooring to be installed the next day. Miracle accomplished!
There always seemed to be people coming in waves as well as departing to go back home. Jake Bare, John Glick, Merv Hoober and Herb Hoover also arrived. There was insulation and drywall to be done. Merv became a gofer and assistant to the porch guys. John and Jake were replacement window installers. Herb hung ceiling drywall without stilts or planks to stand on.
Sleeping had its challenges. The first ones to fall asleep were the lucky ones; they didn’t have to listen to the others snoring. I planned ahead and brought ear plugs to muffle any night noises. Marv spent one night sleeping on the couch in the main building.
Back on the job, Lee and Cliff also performed a miracle. Using a skill saw and belt sander they made wood siding to match the existing siding. This was accomplished with less prayer and meditation than the porch group. Did they have more faith?
The final wave of guys arrived on Friday. Bob Sherman and John Shertzer jumped in to help where they were needed most. John and Dale Hertzler repaired some wooden lawn chairs. The biggest miracle worker came in the form of Amos Smucker who was the last volunteer to arrive. Amos came by himself because he needed to check out some horse’s teeth on the way to the camp. Amos is a professional drywaller, and his miracle was to make the finished drywall look like a professional had done it all. Amos wants to know how long you have to attend Forest Hills before you get invited to do something like this. He has been attending for two years, and this was the first time he got to help. For anyone who has the same question, all you have to do is sign up when an announcement is made about a service project being organized. Everyone left Deerpark with the satisfaction of knowing that we had given 125 percent of our time and talents to a very worthy cause—providing a clean and safe place for the children and families of the New York City churches!
Excerpt from “Vacationing With a Purpose”
From the Newsletter of Forest Hills Mennonite Church
July 20, 2003
By Zac Hummel and Terri Glick
When was the last time you returned from your family vacation not only having had a great time and feeling refreshed but also rejoicing in the knowledge that you were able to help someone else? Well, that is the feeling we had when we returned from our “vacation with a purpose” at Camp Deerpark in New York. Although Grandpa, Dan Glick, has made many trips to this camp, it was our first visit, and we were not disappointed.
We arrived after lunch on Tuesday, July 1, to find a slightly weary group of Forest Hillers finishing their lunch with the camp counselors and staff. We were quickly told of the work they had already accomplished in the 1½ days they had been there—cleaning out the round, stone pond (and finding lots of interesting creatures as a bonus); repaving and repainting the basketball court (done by Gina Hoover, Marcia, Libby and Becca Stoesz); completing a bulk mailing with secretary Margaret Derstine; and a slow but steady start to building a new stone drinking fountain next to the chapel by Dean Stoesz and Herb Hoover. By the time the group finished reciting the list of work they had done, we wondered if there was any left for us to do. Ken Bontrager,the camp director, assured us he would have no problem keeping us busy.
For the rest of that day and the next, we combined hard work with fun and getting to know each other better and ended up with some great results. Herb and Dean were able to finish the fountain with the help of experienced cement mixer, Zac. Dan and Byron worked with Ken to replace sewer lines between the pool/bathhouse and motel units. Ann and Eleanor tended to the vegetable and flower gardens, and nearly everyone got involved in the extensive project of re-clearing and re-marking the four camp hiking trails. Christine, the camp cook, also appreciated help with the laundry from Marcia and Becca, kitchen help from Eleanor, and expert dishwashing help from Becca.
Zac’s favorite part of the experience was the group swim on Tuesday evening. Dean and Herb’s flips, belly flops and can-openers made us all wonder if there would be enough water left in the pool when the campers arrived the following week.
The only bad part of the trip was the mosquito population. So we all treated Herb’s extra large can of Off like it was gold! Even with the bug spray, however, we think there had to be over 500 mosquito bites on the entire Forest Hills crew. For us, the mosquito bites have proved to be an itchy reminder of a very rewarding experience.